Gov. Jerry Brown ordered a revision Monday of a nearly 40-year-old California regulation that critics say has prompted furniture manufacturers to apply toxic flame retardants on products sold throughout the United States.

Chemicals used to meet California's flammability safety standard on furniture have been linked to serious health problems and have been found in high levels in the bodies of children and pregnant women.

"Toxic flame retardants are found in everything from high chairs to couches and a growing body of evidence suggests that these chemicals harm human health and the environment," Brown said in a statement. "We must find better ways to meet fire safety standards by reducing and eliminating - wherever possible - dangerous chemicals."

The issue has gained national attention recently with a series of investigative articles published in the Chicago Tribune that found that a prominent supporter of the current regulations fabricated stories about deadly incidents involving small children when testifying before the California Legislature.

The articles also outlined the efforts of the chemical and tobacco industries to stop changes to the status quo. The tobacco industry has concerns about smoldering cigarettes being tied to furniture fires.

The Legislature has considered several bills regarding the issue in recent years, but all have been blocked after strong lobbying by the chemical industry.

State Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, introduced those three bills and said that while the chemical industry stopped his efforts, he thinks the governor's actions will diminish the industry's influence.

"I think it changes the dynamic significantly," he said.

Under existing regulations, the foam padding inside upholstered furniture must be able to withstand a direct flame on it for 12 seconds without catching fire. The rules don't prescribe how to meet that standard, but furniture manufacturers have used foam doused with flame retardant to do so.

The guidelines are called "Technical Bulletin 117," and furniture and other products that are treated to meet the standard have a tag on them with the name of that regulation.

Opponents prefer test

Those opposed to the use of flame retardants say the chemicals are released from furniture, intermingle with dust and are ingested or inhaled by humans. Instead of the current standard, opponents including environmental organizations, consumer groups and even furniture manufacturers would prefer a smoldering test.

That would mean holding an object like a smoldering cigarette to the upholstery on a piece of furniture and seeing if it burned. Backers of that method say different types of fabrics and different weaves of fabrics naturally resist catching fire and eliminate any need for flame retardants.

The chemical industry "has used the fear of fires to create enough concern amongst members (of the Legislature) that we haven't been able to pass the bills," said Victoria Rome, deputy director of California advocacy for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Representatives for the chemical industry and manufacturers of flame retardants referred calls to a group funded by flame retardant manufacturers that sent a statement saying they welcome a review of the regulations, which they said have saved lives.

Furniture makers back Leno

But furniture manufacturers, who have supported Leno's bills, said they're ready for a change. Andy Counts, chief executive officer for the American Home Furnishings Alliance, said furniture makers often do not know what kind of chemicals are used in the foam padding because the mix is proprietary.

With those chemicals, "We're not only concerned about the emerging science, but the court of public opinion on the issue" as well, Counts said. He called the governor's directive for changes in the regulations "a good idea" and said California's rules create a de facto policy for the rest of the country.

Latest from the SFGATE homepage:

Click below for the top news from around the Bay Area and beyond. Sign up for our newsletters to be the first to learn about breaking news and more. Go to 'Sign In' and 'Manage Profile' at the top of the page.